NBA Notes: Cavs, James Harden, Bucks, Cam Thomas, Blazers

Cavaliers

James Harden did not need shots to make a statement.

In his home debut, Harden attempted just four shots. He finished with 11 assists, zero complaints, and another win as the Cavaliers moved to 3-0 since acquiring him.

That was the point.

“Like I told them, I’ll figure it out,” Harden said. “We’ll do some adjusting with each other, but for the most part, I’ll play with y’all and do what y’all been doing and I’ll find my way and they’ve been doing that.

“So even (Wednesday), I shoot four shots, but we win by 25 points. That’s the most important thing. … I’m just here to win.”

The Cavs do not need Harden to dominate possessions. It needs him to organize, calm things down late, and make the offense cleaner. So far, that balance has been there.

Bucks

The first game was quiet. The next two were not.

After scoring four points in his Milwaukee debut, Cam Thomas reminded everyone why the Bucks claimed him after Brooklyn waived him. In road wins over Orlando and Oklahoma City, Thomas poured in 46 points in just 45 total minutes, shooting 17-of-33 from the floor.

That got coach Doc Rivers thinking.

“I’ve had Jamal Crawford. I had Lou Williams,” Rivers said, per The Athletic’s Eric Nehm. “And now, I have Cam Thomas.”

Thomas has long worn the “empty calories” label, but he pushed back on that this week, saying his playmaking is underrated. Rivers seems open to letting him show it.

“Cam wants to do right. He wants to play well. You can see that,” Rivers said. “We’re going to give him every opportunity. … Probably forced one or two today where he overdribbled. You live with that, and you teach that. But overall, he was fantastic.”

Trail Blazers

The All-Star break is forcing decisions.

Trail Blazers two-way wing Sidy Cissoko reached his 50-game limit Thursday in Utah, meaning he cannot play another NBA game unless Portland promotes him to a standard contract, noted Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors.

Cissoko made his 24th start and logged 30 minutes in the win, making the situation more urgent.

Portland will have to cut a player to convert him. If the Blazers also want to promote fellow two-way standout Caleb Love, two roster spots would be required. Rayan Rupert and Matisse Thybulle have been mentioned, but nothing is set.

Elsewhere, teams are moving at different speeds. Denver can promote Spencer Jones without a corresponding cut. Minnesota is in no rush with Johnny Juzang. Houston may wait with JD Davison.

Some teams promote. Some wait. Some move on entirely.

Over the next two weeks, those choices start to matter.